Tie-plate.



F. MCLEAN.

TIE PLATE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-15.191].

Patented Aug. 27, 1918.

FINIS moIlEAN, 0F VALLEY JUNCTION, IOWA.

min-PLATE.

Application filed November 15, 1917, Serial No. 202,235..

To all whom it may concern:

7 Be it known that I, FINIs MCLEAN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Valley J unction, in the county of Folk and State of Iowa, have invented acertain new and useful Tie-Plate, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a tie plate for use on ties and under the railsof a railroad.

More particularly it is my object to provide a tie plate, having a rib to engage the outer edge of the base of the rail for holding the rails against spreading, the ribs being so constructed as to facilitate the ready and effective use of a spike puller.

Still a further object is to provide such a plate having a rib of the kind mentioned and having holes substantially in line with said rib, which plate is provided with lugs adjacent to the outer edges of said holes, which lugs may be made to serve a variety of purposes as, for instance, to furnish a support for the back of the spike to prevent the bending of the upper end of the spike under the strain of trafiic; said lugs also serve as a means for limiting the driving of the spike into the tie at a position where the nose of the spike engages the base of a rail. Still a further object is to provide such a plate having a rib constructed and arranged as above mentioned andv having lugs adjacent to the outer edges of the spike holes, the ribs, lugs, and holes being so arranged as to insure the proper positioning and driving of the spike. Still a further object is to provide in connection with the type of plate last mentioned, a spike adapted to have its rear surface snugly engage one of said lugs, and adapted to be driven into the .tie plate until its upper surface is substantially flush with the upper surface of the lug when the nose of the spike engages the base of a rail.

With these and other objects in view my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a top or plan view of one form of a tie plate embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 shows a top or plan View of another form of my improved tie plate.

Specification of Letters Patent.

shown in Fig. '2.

the spike.

mama Aug. 27, was.

Fig. 3 shows an end view of the plate Fig. 4 shows a top or plan view of still a th1rd form of my improved tie plate, and Fig. 5 shows an end view of the plate illustrated in Fig. 4.

In the form of my invention illustrated in F 1g. 1 particularly of the drawings, I have shown a he plate comprising a substantially fiat bottom plate or base indicated by the reference character 10.

In all the forms of my plate herein shown, I preferably provide the bottom of the plate with downwardly extending ribs 11 designed to. run transversely of the tie. That is to say across the grain of the wood.

In the form of the tie plate shown in Fig. 1, there 1s provided a plate. Spaced from one end thereof is a rib 12 one face of which is substantially vertical at 13 and is deslgned to be engaged by the edge of the base of the rail.

Substantially in the line of the rib 12 are spike holes 14. .The rib 12 is cut away adj acent to the spike holes in such shape and sufliclently to permit the insertion of the fingers or claws of a spike uller or claw bar under the side edges of the ead of the spike.

The use of a tie plate having a rib similar to the rib 12 is quite common, and a serious 0b ecti0n to the use of such a plate arises from the fact that if the rib extends flush with the spike it is extremely difficult to pull Thus it will be seen that where the rib 12 is cut away as illustratedat 15, there is afforded a smooth, substantially .fiush upper surface for the plate where the claws of the spike puller may be inserted under the head of the spike.

In the plate 10 opposite the holes 12 are holes 16 preferably elongated longitudinally of the tie on which the plate rests, for permitting the insertion of spikes at different points, so that the plate may be used with rails of different sizes.

Thus it will be seen that with the type of plate shown in Fig. 1 I am able to secure all the advantages of the tie plate having the rib for engaging the base of the rail, while I have the additional advantage of affording a construction which permits the ordinary pulling of the spike.

It will be noted that if the rib 12 extends entirely across the plate, except for the spike openings '14, the claw of the spike puller would simply slide up the inclined face of the rib and could not be conveniently inserted under the head of the spike.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a slightly d fferent form of my improved plate comprising the plate body 17 having the rib 18 similar to the rib 12 which rib is provided with the notches or cut-away portions 15 similar to those heretofore described.

The upper surface of the plate 17 1S provided with two grooves 19 which simply reduce the'weight of the plate.

The lower surface of the plate 17 is provided with ribs 20.

The plate 17 is provided with elongated holes or openings 21 similar to the holes 16. The rib 18 is also provided with spike holes 22 substantially in the line of the rib 18, as shown in Fig. 2, similar to the holes 14.

The form of the plate shown in Fig. 2 is also provided with spike holes 23, located near the opposite edges of the plate 17. The plate 17 is also provided ad acent to the outer edges of the holes 22 with upwardly extending lugs 2e, preferably formed with a central reinforcing rib 25 on their sides away from the holes 22.

In the practical use of the form' of the plate shown in Fig. 2, the plate is placed under the rail, and of course has all the advantages mentioned in connection with the plate 10.

The advantage of bein able to easily get hold of the spikes to pul them cannot be over emphasized.

For instance, where the rib, against which the base of the rail rests, is so arranged that the spike puller cannot be readily used, it is necessary to pry the plate loose from the tie, thereby pulling the spike out for a short distance. The plate can then be caused to drop back against the tie and the head of the spike will project suificiently to permit it to be pulled. This process, it is obvious, is slow, cumbersome and awkward and results in injury to the tie when the plate is pried away from the tie.

The advantages in having the holes 23 are several.

They afford means for fastening the tie plate to the tie by spikes which are not effected by the rails in any way, and which therefore do not tend to be loosened by the traflic on the rail.

If holes have been worn in the tie on account of spikes having been repeatedly driven through the holes 22 and 21, the holes 23 aiford means for fastening the plate to the tie and the rib 18 would serve to hold the rails against spreading. The holes 23 are located close enough to the edge of the plate, so that if the spikes are driven therethrough with their noses outward a spike puller can be readily inserted under the nose of the spike for pulling it. Also where rails having a narrow base are employed, it will be seen that the spikes which are driven through avaese the holes 21 will not be braced against the plate for preventing the plate from sliding on the tie. A spike can be driven through the opening-23 tofirmly fasten the plate to the tie a ainst sliding outwardly from the center of t e track and serving further to hold the rail against spreading.

The advantages of the lugs 24 are also several.

In the first place the lugs 24 furnish a brace for the back of the spike and prevent the head and upper portion of the spike from being bent outwardly from the rail when the spike is driven. Thus where the lugs 24 are used, they brace the spike and the rail engages the spike with substantially the same result as if the rail base engaged a rib 18 extending entirely across the plate. The lugs 24 also serve to limit the distance or depth to which the spikes may be driven, and in the form of my invention shown in Figs. 2 and 3, said lugs 25 are preferably of such height that the part of the head of the spike which projects rearwardly engages the top of the lug when the'nose of the spike, which spike is indicated by the reference character 26, engages the base of the rail 27, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3. Thus the lug prevents driving the spike too far, and also prevents it being bent outwardly near its head and afiords a reinforcement for reducing'the wear of the spike against the edge of the opening 22 farthest from the rail to a minimum.

In Figs; 4 and 5 I have shown a slightly modified form of my plate comprising a base 30 having spaced parallel ribs 31. The plate 30 is provided with pairs of opposite openings 32. The openings 32 are each arranged with one edge in line with the inner edge of one of the ribs 31. The ribs 31 are cut away as at 33 adjacent to the opening 32 to permit the proper operation of the spike puller.

The ribs 31 are of such distance apart as to snugly receive between them the base of a rail and the openings 32 are of such shape as to snugly receive a spike.

Adjacent to the edge of each opening v32 farthest removed from the portion of the plate 30 on which the rail rests, is an upwardly extending lug 34.

I preferably use in connection with the type of plate shown in Figs. 4 and 5 a spike 35 which is vertical and smooth on the back at its upper end. The lugs 34: are of such height that when the spike is driven and the nose thereof engages the .top of the base of the rail, the upper surface of the head of the spike will be substantially fiush with the upper end of the adjacent lug. Thus it will be seen that the lug, in the form of the device shown in Figs. 4C and 5, serves substantially the same purpose as the lugs 24.

.When the spike has been driven to position I aaraeee for the reason that the hammer strikes the top of the lug 34, and for the further reason that the lug 34 engages the back of the spike. Thus the lugs 24 and 3 1 also serve a further purpose.

It is well known that it is desirable to drive a spike substantially vertical, and if there is any slant it should be with the end inclined slightly away from the center of the track. In both forms of my invention in which lugs are used, and particularly in the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, where the higher lug is used, it will be seen that when the'spike is placed in the hole provided therefor, the lug in combination with the portion of the plate surrounding the spike hole and the rail may serve as a guide for holding the spike in proper position causing it to be properly driven. In

other words the construction of the plate in both of the forms having the lugs, and particularly in the forms shown in Figs. 4 and 5, insures a correctly driven spike.

This construction results in enabling a comparatively unexperienced spike driver to drive the spikes correctly, and enables a skilled trackman to drive more spikes than would be the case if he were obliged to take special care that the spikes were driven straight downwardly into the tie.

In all of the forms of my plate it will be seen that I have the advantages of a tie plate having spike holes inside and outside the rail and having the rib which prevents the rail from spreading. In all of the plates when used with the ordinary size rail, I secure the full benefit of the inner spikes as well as the outer spikes in holding the rail against spreading.

In all of the plates I have the advantage of being able to readily and easily pull the spikes by retaining the advantage of the rib.

In the forms of the plate having the openings 23 I afford additional means whereby the plate may be secured to the tie, and which is of special importance if spikes have been driven through the other holes several times and have been pulled, thereby weakening the tie.

In the forms of the plates havin the lugs there is produced the advantage 05a means for automatically aiding in the correct driving of the spikes while in the form of the device shown in Fig. 5, the construction of the plate is such as to properly insure that the spikes will be correctly driven.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the essential features and purposes of m invention, and it is my intention to cover y my present, application any modified forms oruse of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within the scope of my claims.

Thus any of the forms of plates may be used with or without the holes 23 such as are shown in Fig. 2. Also any form of plate may be used with elongated holes similar for instance to the holes 21, on one side of the rail for adapting the plate for use with rails of different widths.

I claim as my invention:

1. A tie plate having a substantially flat upper surface, said plate having near one edge a rib designed to engage the outside edge of the base of the rail, said plate having spike holes extended through said rib and the plate, said rib being cut away on opposite sides of the spike holes adjacent thereto for leaving clear spaces on opposite sides of said holes and for leaving the reinforcing portion of the rib along the rail base except at said holes, spaced elongated holes in ,said plate near the opposite edge thereof designed to receive spikes and to permit the use of different sizes of rails.

2. A tie plate having a substantially flat upper surface, said plate having near one edge a rib designed to engage the outside edge of the base of the rail, said plate having snike holes extended through said rib and the plate, said rib being cut away on opposite sides of the spike holes adjacent thereto for leaving clear spaces on opposite sides of said holes and for leaving the reinforcing portion of the rib along the rail base except at said holes, spaced elongated holes in said plate near the opposite edge thereof designed to receive spikes and to permit the use of different sizes of rails, and spike holes near the side edges of said plate for receiving spikes and permitting the heads of the spikes to overhang the plate.

3. A tie plate having a substantially fiat upper surface provided near one edge with a rib adapted to engage one side ed e of the rail base, said plate having spike oles extended through said rib and through the body of the plate, said rib being cut away on the opposite sides of said holes on lines diverging from the edges of said holes adjacent to the portion of the rib adapted to engage the rail whereby free spaces are left adjacent to the sides of the spikes received in said holes and whereby the walls of said ribs serve as a guide for causin a spike puller to properly engage the spike when the head of the spike puller is moved from the side edge of the plate toward the rail base for pulling the spike, and having grooves in its upper surface designed to be under the rail and to extend longitudinally thereof.

Des Moines, Iowa, November 8, 1917.

FINIS MCLEAN. 

